Aggie Weekly
Good Afternoon Students, Parents, and Community Members: Please click here for the Aggie Weekly
We had another good week of hybrid learning. We are fortunate to have our students both in-person and remote. This week created a new procedure for students during virtual learning. As you know, we utilize the platform Google Meet to deliver our instruction virtually. Last week, Google Meet provided a new feature called “blur background.” The video feature is not meant to intrude on anyone’s privacy at their home. It is why we did not require it prior to Google Meet having this new feature. This new procedure is not meant to be punitive, but rather a way for teachers and students to continue to build a collaborative classroom environment. The art of teaching requires us to read the classroom (in this case virtual) for us to check for understanding. Some experts say that more than 90% of communication is non-verbal. Non-verbal communication is valuable for educators in reading students' expressions for us to understand if the student is on track or lost. For example, we need to see them shaking their heads in agreement, or their eyes wide that they do not understand. These forms of non verbal communication are an essential element to the art of teaching. With the blurred background we can accomplish this and not infringe on your home's privacy. We hope to continue to provide the best educational experience possible during this pandemic. If you have any questions about this new procedure, please do not hesitate to contact Mr. Braga (KBraga@bcahs.com).
Virtual Town Hall: Throughout this process we have worked with our school community to keep the lines of communication open. We have hosted several zoom meetings to communicate our plans, get feedback, and answer any questions that you may have. We look to continue to host our virtual town hall meeting in order for you to stay informed about our protocols and how we can work together to ensure that your child is successful. Below we have attached the Presentation that was used during our presentation.
Questions from Meeting: We always appreciate our Q&A with students and families. There were two questions that we could not answer:
What are the dates for SATs? see below for a full list of SAT dates
Will sophomores take the biology MCAS? NO. Sophomores will need to pass a science course for each year in order to graduate (see more information below)
Virtual Learning Expectations:
Participants must have their video on while class is in session during virtual learning. Using the Google Meet platform, participants may use the “blur” feature in order to keep the privacy of their own home.
Participants will dress appropriately and choose an appropriate location in their home from which to participate in any and all remote learning opportunities.
Participants will not share the links to the virtual services or supports with others or otherwise invite or allow others to participate in the virtual services or supports, without the school district’s express consent.
Participants acknowledge other participants in the virtual sessions will see whatever is visible by the participants’ webcam or other devices, including but not limited to themselves, their children, and portions of their homes. Likewise, participants acknowledge that they will see whatever is broadcasted by other participants.
Participants agree to participate in these virtual sessions in a quiet, private area free of distraction, to the extent practicable, to provide an environment conducive to learning and to protect student privacy.
Participants agree to wear clothing that is not offensive to prevailing standards by reason of being vulgar, lewd, indecent, or otherwise inappropriate in a school setting.
Participants agree not to disclose information about any other participant in the virtual session, other than the participants’ own child or family member.
Participants understand that certain information that may be protected under, among other laws, FERPA, CIPA, the IDEA, HIPPA, and the Massachusetts Student Records regulations, might be disclosed in the course of providing virtual services.
Participants agree not to record in any way (e.g., video or audio recording, screenshots, or photographs) the virtual services or supports unless otherwise agreed to in advance in writing by all applicable parties. This prohibition applies to services/supports provided individually and in a group setting. The participants acknowledge that recording these services without consent may be prohibited by law.
Participants agree to behave in a manner conducive to learning, to the extent possible. Pertinent district policies and rules, including but not limited to those prohibiting cyberbullying and any acceptable use policies, apply during virtual sessions. Students and family members shall refrain from sharing inappropriate visuals or using inappropriate language during sessions. The school district reserves the right to remove from a virtual session any participant who violates these rules or is not acting appropriately.
Participants will always have the option to mute video and audio during any teleconferencing meetings.
Participants agree to follow Bristol County Agricultural High School’s Acceptable Use Policy, which can be found on page 33 of the Student Handbook. The use of technology in Bristol County Agricultural High School is governed by federal laws.
Update School Calendar: We updated our school calendar to be more in alignment with our hybrid schedule. Mainly all of our Thursday Professional Development days were moved to Wednesday due to all virtual days.
In the Classroom:
Arbor: Mrs. Duffy demonstrating how to use leverage in the new climbing lab. #BAPride
Science: Mr. Surdi conducting an experiment with water and gravity. #BAPride
Flori: Mrs. Fornari and her seniors were outside discussing their projects in the beautiful weather.
Ag Mech: Ag Mech students working to put the shop back together after the renovation this spring and summer.
Bus Evacuations: Each year we conduct a training session with students on bus evacuations.
Upcoming SAT and ACT Test Date and Information
Upcoming College Fairs
State Universities of Massachusetts
The State Universities are excited to invite you to our Virtual College Fair and College Panel.
During this two night event, there will be an opportunity to meet with, hear from, and ask questions of all nine Massachusetts State Universities.
Day-one will be an open style college fair, where visitors can move at their own pace, in and out of virtual rooms to meet with admission reps from each campus. Day-two will be a 45-minute college panel, followed by a brief Q&A segment. Following the Q&A, admission reps from each campus will be available for campus specific Q&A.
We are excited to have you join us! For more information or to register click the links below.
Registration to College Fair (Day 1) Registration to College Panel (Day 2)
NEACAC College Fair
Partnering with GoToCollegeFairs, NEACAC is excited about this unique opportunity for students to explore virtual “booths”, chat with admission representatives, watch presentations, and much more! More than 250 Institutions will be exhibiting at the College Fairs.
Registration is required, but is FREE! In order to register, please visit https://neacac.swoogo.com/NEACACVirtual and follow the steps to register and gain access to the fair.
EF Tours: April 2022
Hello, families!
My name is Richard Chew and I am your child’s History teacher here at Bristol Aggie. In April of 2022 I will be leading a trip to Ireland with EF Tours. This is not next April, but the year after. This will be my 10th tour that I have led with EF and together we have brought over 150 students abroad.
I am happy to announce that your child has the opportunity to travel to Ireland for 9 days during April of 2022!!
On Tuesday, October 13th and Wednesday, October 14th, I will be holding informational sessions at 6:00 PM and 6:30 PM respectively. These meetings will be held through Google Meet so that parents can discuss this incredible opportunity and to see how we can make this trip a dream come true for your child! Please make sure you RSVP (see links below) for the meeting date that works for you and I will get you the link to the meeting.
Your child has missed out on a lot this year and has been cooped up long enough. Let's get them out and explore our beautiful world and dive into the amazing and unique cultures of Ireland! Spots are limited, so make sure you RSVP below for more details! Any questions please do not hesitate to contact me at rchew@bcahs.com.
Click here to rsvp for the October 13th @ 6:00 PM
Click here to rsvp for the October 14th @ 6:30 PM
Need a Desk? Due to our current schedule, where students are working remotely, we are offering students to borrow a desk if they need a place to work at their home. If you are interested in borrowing a desk while we remain hybrid/or the student remains virtual, please click here to complete the signup form.
Parents- if you want your child to receive OTC medications- Tylenol or Ibuprofen, please fill out the consent form and return to me via email. You can scan or take a picture, please do not send in paperwork with your child.
Flu Vaccines are mandatory. Please request an exempt form from your child’s MD or religious exemption. Flu shots need to be received by December 31, 2020.
*** Dr Gagne, our school physician will be here on October 20, 2020 at 3:00 pm to do sport and physicals for anyone who needs them.
Please see below for information that will need to be filled out and emailed back to ccourville@bcahs.com PRIOR to having a physical.
MCAS Update:
We are providing this initial schedule to help schools and districts plan, but we recognize that conditions may change because of the evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic. We will update our plans and schedules as needed.
As schools plan to administer statewide tests, administrators should follow health and safety requirements, particularly around physical distancing.
In recognition of the fact that schools may not be able to test as many students as usual simultaneously, DESE will provide the following flexibilities:
Longer testing windows so that districts have time to test students who may only be in school on certain days due to hybrid learning or other learning arrangements
Suspending the requirement for concurrent testing on prescribed test dates for high schools
In addition, please note that Commissioner Riley has determined that for MCAS performance appeals, he will approve all requests for a waiver of the three-test minimum requirement for ELA and mathematics for students in the classes of 2021 and 2022. Students in these classes must have taken the ELA and mathematics tests at least twice instead.
High School ELA and Mathematics
As shown in the table below, DESE is planning to offer a different schedule than usual for ELA and Mathematics testing: In 2021, there will be administrations in January and May. The first administration is planned for January 2021 instead of the usual November timing, giving schools time to focus on instruction and adjust to new learning environments during the fall semester. Retesting for students in grades 11 and 12, as well as first-time testing for students in grade 10, will take place in May.
* Paper-based tests available as an accommodation
Special January Administration of ELA and Mathematics
Since students in the class of 2022 (this year’s juniors) did not have the opportunity to earn their Competency Determination (CD) in the last school year due to statewide school closures, DESE is making a January testing opportunity available. The tests administered in January will be legacy tests (see the section below titled Test Format and Standards Assessed for more information about legacy testing).
Student Eligibility
All students must be provided with the opportunity to earn their CD and qualify for the Adams and Koplik scholarships, and adults who have not earned their CD are encouraged to be permitted to return to school for testing (as noted in the table above). To the extent possible, schools should develop a plan that allows all eligible students to attend school in person for the purpose of taking scheduled tests. For the small number of students who are unable to attend in person (e.g., medical conditions or other unique circumstances), we will work with schools to find solutions on a case-by-case basis.
Specific Information/Policies for Grade 11 Students (Class of 2022)
Students who do not participate in the January administration should plan to try to earn their CD in May. If a family elects not to participate in testing, DESE will provide schools with a non-participation letter (and translated versions) that can be sent home to parents/guardians to inform them of the child’s options.
Students will be provided with additional retest opportunities in their senior year.
Specific Information/Policy for Grade 10 Students (Class of 2023)
Students in the class of 2023 will take the May administration of the next-generation tests.
Test Format and Standards Assessed
The January high school MCAS administration will be a computer-based version of the legacy tests in ELA and mathematics (students who need a paper-based version may receive one as an accommodation).
For ELA, the most significant difference between the legacy and next-generation tests is how writing is assessed. Students taking the legacy ELA test will be expected to write a composition (a literary analysis) by responding to a prompt based on a work of literature they have read in or out of class prior to taking the test. Schools should prepare students accordingly, since compositions that do not address the writing prompt or are not based on a work of literature will be considered nonscorable. Educators may wish to view previously administered writing prompts, scoring guides, and sample student work to help prepare students.
In order to help schools prepare students, DESE will soon release a list of standards that the January tests will assess. The next-generation tests in May will fully align to the 2017 standards in ELA and mathematics.
In the fall, schools will be asked to inform DESE if they need to do paper-based testing because of challenges related to technology constraints, a new COVID-19-related situation, or for other reasons (e.g., all students have a paper-based test accommodation). Schools are encouraged to consult with the Office of Student Assessment Services as needed.
High School Science and Technology/Engineering (STE)
Due to the COVID-19 school closures in spring 2020, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted that the STE component of the CD for students in the classes of 2020–23 will be awarded upon demonstration of course credit in the relevant subject matter and competency in one of the four tested disciplines during their high school career.
As a result, the only students eligible to participate in STE testing this school year are:
Students in grade 9 (Students in the class of 2024 must take a high school STE test by the end of grade 10.)
Adults in the class of 2019 or earlier
The Department will offer tests in February (biology only) and June (all four subjects: biology, introductory physics, chemistry, and technology/engineering).
A legacy, paper-based biology test based on “overlapping” standards from both the 2006 and 2016 STE frameworks will be offered in February.
The Department is still making final determinations about whether to administer legacy or next-generation tests during the Biology and Introductory Physics testing windows that will be open in June; more information will be provided before January. Schools should be using the 2016 STE Framework to prepare students for the Biology and Introductory Physics tests. The Chemistry and Technology/Engineering tests will remain legacy, paper-based tests and will align only to the 2006 STE standards.
The Department expects to offer the legacy, paper-based Biology test between February 8 and 26, 2021. The June STE schedule is still under development (again, with longer windows planned).
MSBA Update: While the students and staff are off campus, we use the time to get some major work completed that would create safety risks while students are on campus. This Wednesday, the construction crew tore down the old boys locker room and Mr. Latham’s old classroom.
This week’s #RealityvsRendering update
The Week Ahead:
Monday, October 12th- Columbus Day- No School
Tuesday, October 13th-
Sophomores/Juniors In-Person
Freshman/Seniors Virtual
Gym: Freshman 2nd period
Wednesday, October 14th
All students Virtual:
Gym:
Juniors 6th period
Seniors 7th period
Thursday, October 15th
Freshman/Seniors In-Person
Sophomores/Juniors Virtual
Friday, October 16th- No School- Teacher Professional Development (previously Fall Show Friday)
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